We got this advent calendar thinking it would be less work and yet still make the kids happy all while getting around the question of “When is Christmas?” We really liked that the little drawers were big enough to for a little toy or piece of candy. That was the extent of what we first thought we’d do with this calendar. Maybe we should have went with the Elf the kids wanted. Somehow almost everyday became a scavenger hunt for the kids to do. Troy took on this task and did an amazing job. I often gave him the item or the event or the surprise for the day but he made up the hunt each day. Although the work was more than we both anticipated the kids REALLY loved it. They were excited everyday to do Countdown to Christmas.
The first morning the kids were not all awake and ready before Sevea had to go to school so once there was a free moment in the afternoon at daycare they jumped at the chance to do the first day. Which ended up being a really great thing because all their big daycare friends helped them in the hunt. The kids started out the season remembering that giving is just as nice as receiving since they shared the candy they got with everyone.
Since Sevea is the only one who can read she was the leader each day. However each kid took turns opening the drawer for the first clue. She was also very good at getting them involved when she could. Brynna just followed the two around and most often didn’t really care about it until the final clue. Cohen loved it and tried really hard to help solve the clues even though Sevea often beat him to the punch. It was fun though to listen to the ideas he had to solve the clues. Little did we know we were helping them academically with this calendar.
Besides getting lots of sweets the calendar was great for adding more fun into our holiday season. We watched Christmas movies together, had a pizza picnic night in the living room, a Monster truck show for Cohen/Troy and Little Mermaid play for Sevea/Brynna/Amy, played Christmas bingo, etc. The kids all loved Christmas Bingo. We played many games and Sevea and Cohen even enjoyed being the call person instead of having to play. The game was such a hit that we needed to buy more Christmas candy after the game pieces started disappearing into the players mouths…mine included.
The calendar wasn’t just for sweets or new experiences, we used it to enjoy things that we’ve done before as well. One of our favorite traditions of the year is breakfast with Santa. It was our fourth year doing it and every year we hope they continue the tradition. This year we had extra company along as Andy, Crystal, and Brayden were able to join us before they flew back home the next day.
We wondered how this year would go. Cohen was finally a fan of Santa last year. Sevea always loved Santa. But Brynna isn’t a fan of any new person. It takes her time to warm up to pretty much anyone, even people she sees frequently. We talked about Santa and showed her pictures. We walked in and she sees him and wants nothing to do with him. Told me she wanted the candy cane but doesn’t want to tell him what she wants for Christmas. We sit down and have breakfast. Santa comes by and tells us to stop by anytime.
Thankfully she warmed up after some scrambled eggs, sausage, hashbrown, and apple cider donuts. She was the first to run up to him and gladly sat on his lap, especially when he let her hold the sleigh bells. Every year this is the Santa we get to see and it is very much apart of the fun. This year he thought us girls were really good too and we needed to tell Santa what we wanted. But useful things were falling on deaf ears, it needed to be rings or necklaces or anything with a diamond.
Good thing Santa doesn’t buy all the gifts, this mom likes useful more than jewels :) Santa was given the lists. All the extra fun was had and now it was time for the main event.
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